Being a Good Daddy
Many summers ago I attended a PromiseKeepers rally in the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The Holy Spirit was alive and present. There was singing and praising God and lots of speakers sharing their faith. It was good. The old adage, "I laughed, I cried, it moved me, man!" sure applied to that weekend. I went to the rally wanting to know more about being a dad. I wanted to be a better one--the best one I can be. I was hoping this conference would give me an answer. I think I got one.
At one juncture, Gary Smalley got up to the mike and said, "Men, what's the very best thing you can do for your kids?" Here it was. He was going to tell me how to be a better dad! Do you know what he said? He said, "Love their mother." And then he explained how important that was to a family's well-being.
I sat and thought about what Mr. Smalley had said. I couldn't believe something so evident was his answer. And yet, when you think hard about it, nothing more directly affects your relationship with the rest of the family than your relationship with your spouse. Your kids will model you. If you love your wife, so will your kids. If you care for her, if you take time for her, if you truly honor her, so will your children. Being a better dad starts by being a better husband. The Bible says "Honor your father and mother." Your children won't know how unless you show them.
Though I often fall short of what I could or should do, I try hard to remember those three little words Mr. Smalley shared. My boys will each celebrate another birthday soon. Still wanting to be a good dad, I'll try to do something special for him. I'm sure he'll get a party, and he'll get cake and presents, too. And this year, I'm gonna try hard to do the best thing I could ever do for him. Even more than I do right now, I'm gonna love his mother!
About the Author:
Barry Holmen is a Christian educator and familyman from Minot, ND. He enjoys running and golf and playing with his two young boys. Barry also serves as webmaster of Immanuel Online.